Books for teenagers with depression
SAMHSA’s National Helpline | SAMHSA
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SAMHSA’s National Helpline is a free, confidential, 24/7, 365-day-a-year treatment referral and information service (in English and Spanish) for individuals and families facing mental and/or substance use disorders.
Also visit the online treatment locator.
SAMHSA’s National Helpline, 1-800-662-HELP (4357) (also known as the Treatment Referral Routing Service), or TTY: 1-800-487-4889 is a confidential, free, 24-hour-a-day, 365-day-a-year, information service, in English and Spanish, for individuals and family members facing mental and/or substance use disorders.
This service provides referrals to local treatment facilities, support groups, and community-based organizations.
Also visit the online treatment locator, or send your zip code via text message: 435748 (HELP4U) to find help near you. Read more about the HELP4U text messaging service.
The service is open 24/7, 365 days a year.
English and Spanish are available if you select the option to speak with a national representative. Currently, the 435748 (HELP4U) text messaging service is only available in English.
In 2020, the Helpline received 833,598 calls. This is a 27 percent increase from 2019, when the Helpline received a total of 656,953 calls for the year.
The referral service is free of charge. If you have no insurance or are underinsured, we will refer you to your state office, which is responsible for state-funded treatment programs. In addition, we can often refer you to facilities that charge on a sliding fee scale or accept Medicare or Medicaid.
If you have health insurance, you are encouraged to contact your insurer for a list of participating health care providers and facilities.
The service is confidential. We will not ask you for any personal information. We may ask for your zip code or other pertinent geographic information in order to track calls being routed to other offices or to accurately identify the local resources appropriate to your needs.
No, we do not provide counseling. Trained information specialists answer calls, transfer callers to state services or other appropriate intake centers in their states, and connect them with local assistance and support.
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Suggested Resources
What Is Substance Abuse Treatment? A Booklet for Families
Created for family members of people with alcohol abuse or drug abuse problems. Answers questions about substance abuse, its symptoms, different types of treatment, and recovery.
Addresses concerns of children of parents with substance use/abuse problems.It's Not Your Fault (NACoA) (PDF | 12 KB)
Assures teens with parents who abuse alcohol or drugs that, "It's not your fault!" and that they are not alone. Encourages teens to seek emotional support from other adults, school counselors, and youth support groups such as Alateen, and provides a resource list.After an Attempt: A Guide for Taking Care of Your Family Member After Treatment in the Emergency Department
Aids family members in coping with the aftermath of a relative's suicide attempt. Describes the emergency department treatment process, lists questions to ask about follow-up treatment, and describes how to reduce risk and ensure safety at home.Family Therapy Can Help: For People in Recovery From Mental Illness or Addiction
Explores the role of family therapy in recovery from mental illness or substance abuse. Explains how family therapy sessions are run and who conducts them, describes a typical session, and provides information on its effectiveness in recovery.
For additional resources, please visit the SAMHSA Store.
Last Updated: 08/30/2022
Alcohol, Tobacco, and Other Drugs
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Misusing alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs can have both immediate and long-term health effects.The misuse and abuse of alcohol, tobacco, illicit drugs, and prescription medications affect the health and well-being of millions of Americans. NSDUH estimates allow researchers, clinicians, policymakers, and the general public to better understand and improve the nation’s behavioral health. These reports and detailed tables present estimates from the 2021 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH).
Alcohol
Data:
- Among the 133.1 million current alcohol users aged 12 or older in 2021, 60.0 million people (or 45.1%) were past month binge drinkers.
The percentage of people who were past month binge drinkers was highest among young adults aged 18 to 25 (29.2% or 9.8 million people), followed by adults aged 26 or older (22.4% or 49.3 million people), then by adolescents aged 12 to 17 (3.8% or 995,000 people). (2021 NSDUH) - Among people aged 12 to 20 in 2021, 15.1% (or 5.9 million people) were past month alcohol users. Estimates of binge alcohol use and heavy alcohol use in the past month among underage people were 8.3% (or 3.2 million people) and 1.6% (or 613,000 people), respectively. (2021 NSDUH)
- In 2020, 50.0% of people aged 12 or older (or 138.5 million people) used alcohol in the past month (i.e., current alcohol users) (2020 NSDUH)
- Among the 138.5 million people who were current alcohol users, 61.6 million people (or 44.4%) were classified as binge drinkers and 17.7 million people (28.8% of current binge drinkers and 12.8% of current alcohol users) were classified as heavy drinkers (2020 NSDUH)
- The percentage of people who were past month binge alcohol users was highest among young adults aged 18 to 25 (31.
4%) compared with 22.9% of adults aged 26 or older and 4.1% of adolescents aged 12 to 17 (2020 NSDUH) - Excessive alcohol use can increase a person’s risk of stroke, liver cirrhosis, alcoholic hepatitis, cancer, and other serious health conditions
- Excessive alcohol use can also lead to risk-taking behavior, including driving while impaired. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that 29 people in the United States die in motor vehicle crashes that involve an alcohol-impaired driver daily
Programs/Initiatives:
- STOP Underage Drinking interagency portal - Interagency Coordinating Committee on the Prevention of Underage Drinking
- Interagency Coordinating Committee on the Prevention of Underage Drinking
- Talk. They Hear You.
- Underage Drinking: Myths vs. Facts
- Talking with your College-Bound Young Adult About Alcohol
Relevant links:
- National Association of State Alcohol and Drug Abuse Directors
- Department of Transportation Office of Drug & Alcohol Policy & Compliance
- Alcohol Policy Information Systems Database (APIS)
- National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism
Tobacco
Data:
- In 2020, 20.
7% of people aged 12 or older (or 57.3 million people) used nicotine products (i.e., used tobacco products or vaped nicotine) in the past month (2020 NSDUH) - Among past month users of nicotine products, nearly two thirds of adolescents aged 12 to 17 (63.1%) vaped nicotine but did not use tobacco products. In contrast, 88.9% of past month nicotine product users aged 26 or older used only tobacco products (2020 NSDUH)
- Tobacco use is the leading cause of preventable death, often leading to lung cancer, respiratory disorders, heart disease, stroke, and other serious illnesses. The CDC reports that cigarette smoking causes more than 480,000 deaths each year in the United States
- The CDC’s Office on Smoking and Health reports that more than 16 million Americans are living with a disease caused by smoking cigarettes
Electronic cigarette (e-cigarette) use data:
- In 2021, 13.2 million people aged 12 or older (or 4.7%) used an e-cigarette or other vaping device to vape nicotine in the past month.
The percentage of people who vaped nicotine was highest among young adults aged 18 to 25 (14.1% or 4.7 million people), followed by adolescents aged 12 to 17 (5.2% or 1.4 million people), then by adults aged 26 or older (3.2% or 7.1 million people). - Among people aged 12 to 20 in 2021, 11.0% (or 4.3 million people) used tobacco products or used an e-cigarette or other vaping device to vape nicotine in the past month. Among people in this age group, 8.1% (or 3.1 million people) vaped nicotine, 5.4% (or 2.1 million people) used tobacco products, and 3.4% (or 1.3 million people) smoked cigarettes in the past month. (2021 NSDUH)
- Data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s 2020 National Youth Tobacco Survey. Among both middle and high school students, current use of e-cigarettes declined from 2019 to 2020, reversing previous trends and returning current e-cigarette use to levels similar to those observed in 2018
- E-cigarettes are not safe for youth, young adults, or pregnant women, especially because they contain nicotine and other chemicals
Resources:
- Tips for Teens: Tobacco
- Tips for Teens: E-cigarettes
- Implementing Tobacco Cessation Programs in Substance Use Disorder Treatment Settings
- Synar Amendment Program
Links:
- Truth Initiative
- FDA Center for Tobacco Products
- CDC Office on Smoking and Health
- National Institute on Drug Abuse: Tobacco, Nicotine, and E-Cigarettes
- National Institute on Drug Abuse: E-Cigarettes
Opioids
Data:
- Among people aged 12 or older in 2021, 3.
3% (or 9.2 million people) misused opioids (heroin or prescription pain relievers) in the past year. Among the 9.2 million people who misused opioids in the past year, 8.7 million people misused prescription pain relievers compared with 1.1 million people who used heroin. These numbers include 574,000 people who both misused prescription pain relievers and used heroin in the past year. (2021 NSDUH) - Among people aged 12 or older in 2020, 3.4% (or 9.5 million people) misused opioids in the past year. Among the 9.5 million people who misused opioids in the past year, 9.3 million people misused prescription pain relievers and 902,000 people used heroin (2020 NSDUH)
- According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Understanding the Epidemic, an average of 128 Americans die every day from an opioid overdose
Resources:
- Medication-Assisted Treatment
- Opioid Overdose Prevention Toolkit
- TIP 63: Medications for Opioid Use Disorder
- Use of Medication-Assisted Treatment for Opioid Use Disorder in Criminal Justice Settings
- Opioid Use Disorder and Pregnancy
- Clinical Guidance for Treating Pregnant and Parenting Women With Opioid Use Disorder and Their Infants
- The Facts about Buprenorphine for Treatment of Opioid Addiction
- Pregnancy Planning for Women Being Treated for Opioid Use Disorder
- Tips for Teens: Opioids
- Rural Opioid Technical Assistance Grants
- Tribal Opioid Response Grants
- Provider’s Clinical Support System - Medication Assisted Treatment Grant Program
Links:
- National Institute on Drug Abuse: Opioids
- National Institute on Drug Abuse: Heroin
- HHS Prevent Opioid Abuse
- Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America
- Addiction Technology Transfer Center (ATTC) Network
- Prevention Technology Transfer Center (PTTC) Network
Marijuana
Data:
- In 2021, marijuana was the most commonly used illicit drug, with 18.
7% of people aged 12 or older (or 52.5 million people) using it in the past year. The percentage was highest among young adults aged 18 to 25 (35.4% or 11.8 million people), followed by adults aged 26 or older (17.2% or 37.9 million people), then by adolescents aged 12 to 17 (10.5% or 2.7 million people). - The percentage of people who used marijuana in the past year was highest among young adults aged 18 to 25 (34.5%) compared with 16.3% of adults aged 26 or older and 10.1% of adolescents aged 12 to 17 (2020 NSDUH)
- Marijuana can impair judgment and distort perception in the short term and can lead to memory impairment in the long term
- Marijuana can have significant health effects on youth and pregnant women.
Resources:
- Know the Risks of Marijuana
- Marijuana and Pregnancy
- Tips for Teens: Marijuana
Relevant links:
- National Institute on Drug Abuse: Marijuana
- Addiction Technology Transfer Centers on Marijuana
- CDC Marijuana and Public Health
Emerging Trends in Substance Misuse:
- Methamphetamine—In 2019, NSDUH data show that approximately 2 million people used methamphetamine in the past year.
Approximately 1 million people had a methamphetamine use disorder, which was higher than the percentage in 2016, but similar to the percentages in 2015 and 2018. The National Institute on Drug Abuse Data shows that overdose death rates involving methamphetamine have quadrupled from 2011 to 2017. Frequent meth use is associated with mood disturbances, hallucinations, and paranoia. - Cocaine—In 2019, NSDUH data show an estimated 5.5 million people aged 12 or older were past users of cocaine, including about 778,000 users of crack. The CDC reports that overdose deaths involving have increased by one-third from 2016 to 2017. In the short term, cocaine use can result in increased blood pressure, restlessness, and irritability. In the long term, severe medical complications of cocaine use include heart attacks, seizures, and abdominal pain.
- Kratom—In 2019, NSDUH data show that about 825,000 people had used Kratom in the past month. Kratom is a tropical plant that grows naturally in Southeast Asia with leaves that can have psychotropic effects by affecting opioid brain receptors.
It is currently unregulated and has risk of abuse and dependence. The National Institute on Drug Abuse reports that health effects of Kratom can include nausea, itching, seizures, and hallucinations.
Resources:
- Tips for Teens: Methamphetamine
- Tips for Teens: Cocaine
- National Institute on Drug Abuse
More SAMHSA publications on substance use prevention and treatment.
Last Updated: 01/05/2023
Top 5 Mental Health Books for Teenagers - School. Moscow
February 14, 2022
Mental Health
What to read to understand if I'm okay? Elena Kandybina, psychologist and methodologist of training programs of the Helping Center of the Here and Now Charitable Foundation, psychologist in the direction of helping psychotherapy, EMDR and schema therapist, especially for our special project You are not alone! You are not alone!" collected a selection of books for teenagers about difficult situations in life and mental health in general.
“Something completely different. Adolescents and Mental Health
Arnhild Lauveng
The author of the book is a Norwegian writer and clinical psychologist. In adolescence, she became ill with schizophrenia and saw a variety of visual and auditory hallucinations. She described her illness in the book "Tomorrow I was always a lion." Having coped with the disease, Arnhild Lauweng graduated from the university and became a practicing clinical psychologist, candidate of psychological sciences.
Her book “Something completely different. Adolescents and Mental Health is written for adolescents dealing with various emotional and physical conditions that may not be clear to them. Arnhild takes the liberty of talking about depression, self-harm, eating disorders and even psychosis. The first part of the book describes the stories of different teenagers whose lives are changed by their condition or disease. With the help of history, one can see painful or difficult experiences as if from the inside.
The artistic presentation of the material makes the text fascinating. In the second part of the book, in a language accessible to teenagers, the author tells what is happening to them and what help they can get. This part is adapted to the Russian realities of psychological and medical assistance.
The book will help teenagers who are experiencing difficulties, as well as their friends, brothers and sisters, and other family members.
"I'm not OK and that's OK" . A guide to good mood, self-care and mental health for teens
Ray Tina
This book for teens and their parents was written by Tina Ray, a child psychologist, parent support consultant and specialist in positive psychology. The book allows you not only to learn about various difficult internal states (for example, perfectionism, online addiction, depression and eating disorders), but also to immediately find exercises that will help you understand yourself or improve your condition right here and now.
Social issues such as safety on the Internet, communication with peers, and bullying were also touched upon. The main idea of the book is expressed in the title - various difficult conditions and situations happen to teenagers (and not only). And this does not mean that the teenager is somehow wrong or "it's his own fault." The book offers clear and actionable ways to help.
The book is small and resembles a comic book, where the text is almost always accompanied by pictures. It is not necessary to read the whole book in a row - you can focus on what is most relevant. In addition to addressing teenagers, there is a special note for parents and guardians.
Teen Survival Guide. How to Get Rid of Anxiety
Shannon Jennifer
Cognitive psychologist Jennifer Shannon's book focuses on just one, but common problem in adolescence - anxiety. But the author approaches the issue of anxiety and fear from all sides: here you have both shyness and phobias, for example, fear of closed spaces and open places, and real panic.
In separate chapters, different types of anxiety disorders are discussed, with which it is worth contacting a doctor.
In the first part of the book, the author introduces the teenage reader in detail to the peculiarities of brain activity, which helps him to better understand his feelings and states, and not be afraid of them. The second part of the book is devoted to the actual different states and ways of self-help. And the whole book is accompanied by funny explanatory drawings. But this is not a comic book - there is quite a lot of text in the book, which can sometimes be difficult to read. But the reader who has reached the last page will not only be able to cope with anxiety, but also boast of considerable knowledge in the field of biology.
Perfectionism. Workbook for teenagers. Exercises to reduce anxiety and achieve results
Dobos Ann Marie
The author is a psychotherapist working with adolescents, author of books and popular articles, has written a book that will help teenagers who try to be the best and suffer from it.
Perfectionism is a rather painful and even traumatic belief when almost no result seems good. Such a person cannot stop and always tries to improve what he has done. And even after completing the work, he often remains unsatisfied.
In today's world, a teenager is often required to become better and better, to reach the top and overtake others. That is why perfectionism is a frequent debilitating problem that can lead to exhaustion, depression, and abandonment of real activities. The book is a workbook that, with the help of exercises, will teach you to set real, not inflated goals, rebuff internal criticism, and allow you to perceive mistakes as a normal life situation, and not the end of the world.
You are stronger than you think. A guide to your self-esteem
Kaufman G., Rafael L., Espeland P.
The authors, a clinical psychologist, philosopher, and artist, have written a book about growing up for teenagers together.
Growing up is incredibly difficult, many teenagers are afraid of this and hide from adult life behind fun in the company, computer games, or trying to become as if younger than they are.
Will this book help you think about what it's like to be an adult? How not to be afraid of the difficulties that adults face every day? What is the responsibility that parents talk about? Will I be able to understand myself and others, build relationships with them when I start living on my own? Will I be happy when I am completely grown up?
A teenager who has read the book will learn to treat himself and others with respect, to see inside himself not only a storm of feelings, but also important goals, desires, needs. children to respect themselves, be aware of their feelings and needs, and take responsibility for their lives.
BONUS
Brochures for a teenager in crisis0012 In previous books, we talked about situations where, with the help of the book itself, a teenager can help himself and talk with friends about difficult topics. The brochures are aimed at teenagers, written in easy to understand language and will help them understand what is going on inside them. Shows the best way to get help and reach out to adults. All three brochures were translated by the HSE Center for Psychological Counseling and posted on the Internet for free reading. They are adapted for Russia. We have collected good publications of authors who give valuable advice, share the experience of real people and tell psychological tales to our inner child. Laura Dave Hannah starts her own investigation and learns that Owen changed his name ten years ago to escape a mortal danger. Gradually, Hannah and Bailey develop a relationship that they did not have from the very beginning, because only the two of them will be able to find out who the ideal husband and father really was. Read more 554 ₽ 675 ₽ -18% Choose the most convenient promotion: Yulia Dyakova Get rid of fears. Find a worthy partner. Stop feeling guilty. Learn to see happiness in the little things. We sincerely wish this for others, but we forget about what we ourselves need. The ability to overcome fears, enjoy an ordinary day, appreciate and thank those with whom we really feel good and warm - each of us has weaknesses that want to be paid attention to. More 1200 ₽ 1395 ₽ -14% Choose the most convenient promotion: Uma Naidu When choosing foods, most people think about their usefulness, which affects aging, the development of heart disease or weight loss. But almost no one knows that our diet affects not only changes in the body. but also on the brain! Uma Naidu reveals many secrets, in each chapter talking about the harmful and beneficial elements of everyday products that aggravate our psycho-emotional state. More 759 ₽ 925 ₽ -18% Choose the most convenient offer: Shunmio Masuno Thanks to the advice of Shunmio Masuno, the abbot of a 450-year-old Zen temple in Japan, you can stay in harmony with yourself and the world in the most difficult moments in life. Read more 611 ₽ 745 ₽ -18% Choose the most convenient promotion: Massimo Vacchetta, Antonella Tomaselli A unique and touching story about how saving an animal radically changed the life of one person. Once Massimo Vacchetta saved the hedgehog Ninna: she was taken to the clinic, she weighed only 25 grams and was absolutely helpless. Just at that moment, the man was in a depressed mood due to difficulties in life. More 425 ₽ 525 ₽ -19% Choose the most convenient promotion: Olga Savelyeva What is a crisis? This is a turning point, a sharp turn. This word has no negative meaning, we endowed it with it ourselves. But the turning point is always hope, new opportunities and dreams. So how do you choose the right "turn"? How to find the strength not to cling to the collapsed past and boldly look into the future? And, in the end, how to live through any difficulties so that they become a starting point in a new, better life? Olga Savelieva has collected a lot of ideas on what to do in a crisis. Each of the stories in this book is called a verb and therefore cannot but encourage action: dream, love, seek! What verb do you start with? Read more 425 ₽ 525 ₽ -19% Select the most convenient action: Lilia Koch The book includes more than twenty stories about healing, each of which is based real story. More details 472 ₽ 575 ₽ -18% Choose the most convenient promotion: Olga Berg Thanks to this diary, you can find a ray of sunshine even on the most cloudy day. Just 10 minutes of daily gratitude practice will change your attitude towards life and prove that every day brings joy. And interesting additional tasks and checklists will help you become even happier! More 566 ₽ 566 ₽ Choose the most convenient promotion: Matt Haig At the age of 24, I almost killed myself. At that time I lived in Ibiza, in a very beautiful villa on the quiet coast of the island. There was a rock very close to the villa. Depressed, I walked to the edge of the cliff and looked out to sea. I tried to find the courage to jump down. I didn't find her. Three more years of depression followed. Panic, despair, daily painful attempt to go to the nearest store and not faint at the same time. But I survived. I am over 40 years old. Once upon a time, I was almost certain that I would not live to see 30. But here I am. Surrounded by loved ones. 
These pamphlets will be essential for those who are already in a difficult and dangerous situation that they cannot cope with. Sometimes it takes a lot of courage for a teenager to start talking to adults about what is bothering him, about self-harm or an eating disorder. A selection of books for depression - Eksmo
Topic: Psychology and self-development
Books are an effective way to fight depression, a stream of negativity and complete demotivation, because they are not connected to the Internet, which means there will be no temptation to check the news again, read statements on social networks and spoil your mood even more.
E-book Audiobook The Last Thing He Told Me
E-book Audiobook The girl who learned to fly. Spiritual tales for the inner child
Yulia Dyakova, a psychologist, trainer and body-oriented therapist, wrote fairy tales that are designed to help our inner children: forget about prohibitions and rules, listen to your intuition and allow yourself to get rid of childhood traumas - practical tasks inside fairy tales will help you with this . Everyone will find themselves in these stories - they will push you to become sincere with yourself and love yourself truly. E-book Audiobook Restless Brain. Useful guide to reduce anxiety and stress. How to deal with depression, anxiety disorder, PTSD, OCD and ADHD.
E-book Audiobook Art of caring for the soul. 100 Insights from a Zen Monk on a Stress-Free Life
E-book Audiobook 25 grams of happiness. The story of a little hedgehog that changed a person's life
After this story, he decided that he would devote his life to saving hedgehogs, so he created "La Ninna".
PloGood. Inspiring stories that turn a black stripe into a take-off
Audiobook Electronic Book choosing life
The collection is called "Choosing Life" because, according to the author, we are constantly faced with this choice. Life is a path where each step is directed in a certain direction: life or death, love or hate, prosperity or decay. Lilia Koch is a certified psychologist, author of the book "100 Days Between Life and Death" and the transformational game "Phoenix-Renaissance". Seize the day. Gratitude Diary
E-book Audiobook Fall in love with life.
How to learn to live again when you are almost destroyed by depression
Author Matt Haig, a British journalist and writer, talks about his personal experience of life and dealing with depression, gives recommendations and a list of reasons that helped him not to commit suicide and live on. And also, teach healthy people to behave correctly with those who have depression.
